At a press conference held today at the Portland Air National Guard Base in Portland, Ore. today, Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, The Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard provided details of the relief operations in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Specific items discussed were the current situation in New Orleans and the accomplishments of Task Force Oregon.

This would include: Equipment and vehicles shipped to the Belle Chasse Naval Air Station in New Orleans to include HMMWV's; Ambulances, 5 and 2 1/2 Ton Trucks, trailers, generators etc.; personnel, food, water, communications equipment and personnel.

The 1186th Military Police Company has established themselves in the area of responsibility and began patrol missions to help restore order and assist with evacuations. Their encounters with the citizens in the area has proved to be effective.

The 41st Brigade Combat Team has established a Brigade Headquarters and soldiers from the following battalions continue to flow into the city, 1-162 Infantry Battalion, 2-162 Infantry Battalion, 1-186 Infantry Battalion, 141 Support Battalion, 2-218 Field Artillery, 741st Core Support Battalion and elements of the Oregon Air National Guard Guards 272nd Combat Communications Squadron and Security Forces.

On Sept 5, 2005, Lt. General Russel Honore the commander of Hurricane Relief Operations authorized the individual Task Force Commanders to set their own weapons posture dependent upon geographic area and mission requirements. Brigadier General Douglas Pritt is the onsite Task Force Oregon Commander and will make daily assessments of the threat levels for the operational areas.

Typically, when the Oregon National Guard is placed on state active duty it is in support of fire or flood in Oregon. Weapons have not been needed for the typical state active duty mission. It has become necessary for our TF Commander to assess the situation on a regular basis as missions move out into the city.

Task Force CD LAV (Light Armored Vehicles) completed in the first 24 hours of operations three SWAT support missions; seven recovery missions (102 individuals from flood areas); one mission to secure the helicopter crash site and four transportation missions bringing supplies to trapped personnel.

We continue to provide humanitarian relief and restore law and order for the citizens of New Orleans, Louisiana.